Product Recalls

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Thomson Inc., of Indianapolis, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 50,000 home entertainment amplifiers. The amplifier can overheat due to a lack of ventilation, which can cause melting of the plastic front cover and pose a shock hazard to consumers.

Thomson has received 12 reports of the amplifiers overheating, some of which resulted in melting of the plastic front cover or faceplate. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled RCA(r) 650-Watt Home Entertainment amplifiers include model numbers RT2600, RT2600DVD and RT2600DVD5 and serial numbers beginning with 220 through 230. The model and serial numbers can be found on a label on the back of the unit in the lower left corner. The recalled units may also have an "A" as the last character in the model number. The amplifier units are silver and are about 17 inches wide, 16 inches deep, and 5 inches high. The amplifiers were manufactured in China.

Radio Shack, Best Buy, and other retailers sold the amplifiers from May 2002 through March 2003 for between $300 and $380.

Consumers should unplug the units immediately and contact Thomson at (800) 613-0897 anytime for information on how to receive a free repair. Consumers also can log on to the company's Web site at www.rca.com/recall

CPSC, Dynacraft Industries Inc. Announce Recall of BMX Bicycles

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dynacraft Industries Inc., of San Rafael, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 52,900 BMX bicycles. The stems on these bicycles can loosen during use, causing riders to lose control and fall.

Dynacraft Industries has received 35 reports of stems loosening on these bicycles, resulting in one report of an injury (a broken finger).

The recall includes two models of 20-inch BMX bicycles. The Next Voltage-model bicycles are metallic green, have model number 8535-99 and were manufactured between March 2002 and June 2002. The Vertical Street Blade-model bicycles are dark blue and chrome colored, have model number 8527-99 and were manufactured between March 2002 and April 2002. The model name is written on the bicycle frame, and a label on the frame near the crank housing shows the model number and manufacture date.

Wal-Mart stores sold the Next Voltage-model bicycles nationwide, including Puerto Rico, from May 2002 through November 2002 for about $70. Pamida stores sold the Vertical Street Blade-model bicycles nationwide from April 2002 through April 2003 for about $80.

Consumers should stop using these bicycles immediately and contact Dynacraft Industries for information on receiving a replacement stem. For more information, call Dynacraft Industries at (800) 288-1560 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.dynacraftbike.com

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Battat Incorporated, of Plattsburgh, NY, is voluntarily recalling about 300,000 sets of toy drumsticks sold with the Parents Bee Bop Band drum sets.

The end piece of the drumstick handle can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children. Additionally, the screw at the end of the drumstick can loosen and detach, posing a choking hazard.

Battat and CPSC have received about 240 reports of drumsticks breaking and children mouthing the small pieces, including one report of a child who began to choke.

The centipede-shaped drumsticks were sold with the Parents Bee Bop Band drum set. They're about 10-inches long and were sold in either lime green or blue with black stripes. Model numbers involved in this recall are PM9137T2 and PM91372. The model numbers can be found above the UPC code on the packaging.

Target, Sam's Club and smaller retailers sold the Parents Bee Bop Band drum sets nationwide from November 2001 through March 2003 for about $25.

Consumers should immediately take these drumsticks away from young children and contact Battat for a replacement set of drumsticks. For more information, consumers should contact Battat toll-free at (866) 617-9137 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Drum sets sold with a sticker that reads, "NEW 2003" is not subject to the recall.

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